braces westchester ny

The team at Glaser Orthodontics stress the importance of proper care of our patients teeth and gums. Dr. Glaser says that taking steps now will help protect your dental health and prevent serious decay and disease from developing as you get older. Glaser Orthodontics tells Westchester residents that you are never too young to start the proper cleaning and care of your mouth.

The changes that occur in your body as you age can be seen in your mouth just as readily as they can be seen in other areas. Being aware of these changes is the first step in protecting your teeth and gums.

Erosion/loss of tooth enamel. Over time, depending on your eating habits and the state of your health, you may begin to lose tooth enamel. As enamel wears away, teeth become brittle and sensitive. Teeth also dry out and become more brittle with age because fewer blood vessels are available to deliver fluids and nutrients.

Slowdown of saliva production. As you get older you produce less saliva, and you may routinely take medications that reduce it even further. Dr. Glaser says the result is a dry mouth, which is not only unpleasant, but can cause chewing and swallowing difficulties, bad breath, tooth decay, and irritated tissue in your mouth that can lead to infection.

Gum infections and inflammation. Chronic medical conditions that are more common in later years, such as heart disease, diabetes and respiratory distress are thought to be associated with gum infections and inflammation. According to Harvard Family Health Guide, some scientists believe that bacteria present in gum infections can get into the bloodstream and causes inflammation in other parts of the body.

Call Glaser Orthodontics in Cortlandt Manor for a consultation on how to protect your teeth and gums.

You’ve just gotten Glaser Orthodontics in Upper Westchester to put your braces on.  Dr. Glaser realizes that having braces can present some new challenges when it comes to oral hygiene. Preventing tooth decay can be a big challenge simply because of the tendency for braces to trap food under the wires and between the teeth and the brackets. Dr. Glaser and his team offer a few tips to keep our patients teeth healthy while wearing your braces:

1. Eat Braces-Safe Foods

Keeping your teeth from decay starts with a proper diet. Foods that are high in sugar or starch can cause more plaque which is difficult to remove during your brushing. There are certain foods that should be avoided while wearing your braces. First, sticky foods like caramel or gum can get stuck in your braces and be difficult to remove during brushing. Next, hard foods such as nuts and candy could bend wires or even break a bracket. Foods that are firm or hard to bite into like apples, carrots, or corn on the cob should be avoided. As much as we like to snack on them, those crunchy treats can harm your braces. Things like chips, ice, popcorn can also bend or break your braces.

On the other hand, bananas, mangoes, milk, water, poultry, and pasta all tend to be low in enamel-busting acids.

2. Proper Brushing

You want to place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle against the gums in order to clean the whole tooth, and brush gently in the area between the wiring and the teeth. Use a softer toothbrush with fluoride paste for best results. Rinsing every day will help, too. Rinsing is important regardless, but especially important when you have braces as you need to disinfect the entire mouth, including those spots under the braces where your brush can’t always reach.

3. Ask About Special Cleaning Tools

There are also special brushes, or other tools, to get under and clean your braces. You can also find many of these items at your local pharmacy.

4. Regular Teeth Cleaning

It’s important to keep your routine appointments with your dentist and dental hygienist for a thorough cleaning twice a year or as directed. The exact frequency of these visits will be up to your dentist as some types of braces are more demanding of a regular cleaning than others.

As long as you practice good oral hygiene and follow these basic tips from Glaser Orthodontics, you should have no problem keeping your teeth from decaying while you wear braces. Call the office at 914-739-6400 with any questions.

October is National Dental Health Month, and the best time to make sure that your oral health is in tiptop shape. Here at Glaser Orthodontics, we want all of our patients from Cortlandt Manor, NY to remember to get back to the basics of oral health. While we all rush to be out the door on time during the busy fall and winter months, it is important to still take the time to thoroughly clean. The ADHA suggests these 3 main things to stay diligent with:

BRUSH –

Research shows that brushing for two minutes is the single most important method for reducing plaque and preventing cavities, gingivitis and other plaque-related diseases. The most obvious of tasks can also be the most commonly neglected. A quick brush will not do the job; it is essential to your smile that you brush thoroughly, twice a day.

FLOSS –

Luckily, for the things brushing can’t reach, there is floss. Plaque tends to build up in those tricky places, and flossing every day can greatly improve your hygiene. Try using flavored floss, or a floss stick to make flossing every day a more convenient and enjoyable experience.

RINSE –

While teeth are a hugely important component to the mouth, oral hygiene does not stop at just brushing. Gum and tongue health are important as well. To ensure this, rinse at least once a day with mouthwash. If you are not a fan of mouthwash, try one without alcohol or with a less harsh minty flavor. This will ensure that you can enjoy fresh breath, while limiting gingivitis and gum disease.

So this October let Dr. Barry Glaser  show Westchester how to integrate these health habits into your daily routine.  Glaser Orthodontics celebrates National Dental Health with its patients.

Taking your child to Glaser Orthodontics for an evaluation means that you may be able to identify problems with the jaw and teeth early when they are still easy to treat. Early treatment often equals a more simplified treatment plan, which is beneficial to both children and their parents. Often, earlier treatment can cost less to correct a problem than delayed treatment.

If a problem is detected, Dr, Barry Glaser and his team will discuss corrective options and provide a recommended treatment schedule. Depending on your child’s orthodontic needs, he or she may benefit from:

•Palatial Spacers – Helpful for correcting a crossbite by expanding the width of the upper jaw.

•Fixed Functional Appliance – Helpful for correcting severe upper tooth protrusion.

•Headgear – Helpful for guiding healthy growth of new teeth and the jaw. Headgear is removable, but usually must be worn at least 10 hours per day.

Schedule your child’s evaluation at Glaser Orthodontics in Cortlandt Manor to get the best orthodontic care in Westchester county.